The Stand-Up India initiative focuses on uplifting minorities, including scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and women. The scheme was initiated by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, Government of India.

The plan aims to ease bank loans ranging from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 1 crore. They intend to assist at least one Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe borrower and one women borrower each bank branch.

All scheduled commercial bank branches in India will operate the initiative. The primary goal of this initiative is to provide financing to to businesses involved in production, trading, and services. 

Stand-Up India Scheme Details   

Features of the Stand-up India Scheme

Only green field projects—those in the industrial or trading sectors—are eligible for loans.

The Stand-Up India plan is a composite credit that consists of a working capital loan up to Rs. 1 crore and a term loan up to Rs. 10 lakh.

The program may be secured by a guarantee or collateral from the Credit Guarantee Fund program.
It is applicable to SC/ST and female entrepreneurs.

There is a maximum seven-year payback duration and a maximum eighteen-month moratorium period.

The Stand-up India Scheme does not provide any subsidies.
This arrangement will cover up to 75% of the project’s costs.
Assures the bank’s lowest applicable interest rate for base rate * MCLR + 3% + tenor premium.

A loan of up to Rs.10 lakh would be sanctioned as an overdraft. The amount above Rs. 10 lakh will be sanctioned in the form of a cash credit limit.

What are the Eligibility criteria for the Stand-up India Scheme?

Only SC/ST individuals and female entrepreneurs are eligible.
The minimum age is 18 years.
Only green field projects are eligible for the loan plan.
The applicant should not have previously defaulted on a loan with any bank or NBFC.
Non-individuals, such as established firms and businesses, may also apply for the plan.
51% of the firm’s equity and controlling interest must be held by SC/ST and/or female entrepreneurs.

 How to apply for the Stand-up India Scheme?

1) Visit the Stand-Up India portal 

2) Fill out the information by clicking the “Register” button.

3) Type in the business address along with the state, district, town, city, village, and pin code of the location.

4) You will be classified and have a 51% stake or above based on your response; the same holds true for the SC/ST group.

5) After that, choose the type of business, the loan amount you want, and the drop-down menu for first-time business owners.

6) The applicant’s personal information is required in the last phase of registration.

8) The Stand-up India scheme application is filed by selecting Register Applicant.

You will receive a call from the relevant financial institution’s representatives on any additional procedures.

What are the documents required for the Stand-up India Scheme?

• properly completed application
• passport-sized pictures
• Identity documentation: voter ID cards, passports, driver’s licenses, PAN cards, etc.
• Evidence of residency may include a voter ID card, passport, the most recent phone and electricity bills, a property tax receipt, etc.
• Proof of business address
• Partners’ partnership deed
• Copies of the rent agreement or the lease paperwork
• three years’ worth of the association’s balance sheets
• The listing of assets and liabilities for the promoters and guarantors
• Any additional paperwork that the bank requires

 conclusion:

The Indian government’s Stand-Up India program, which was introduced in April 2016, intends to encourage women and underprivileged groups—namely, Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST)—to become entrepreneurs. In order to establish a greenfield business in the manufacturing, services, or trading sectors, the program makes bank loans between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore available to at least one borrower who is a woman and a member of the SC or ST community per bank branch.

The program has been crucial in promoting equitable economic development and empowering marginalized communities by giving them access to capital needed to launch and maintain enterprises. It closes the credit gap these areas are facing, allowing them to actively contribute to the nation’s economic progress. The program also includes a thorough support system that includes handholding services like marketing, business growth assistance, factoring, pre-loan training, and loan application facilitation.